Lonely Planet Review

In 1997 Holiday Inn pulled out of Tibet under increasing pressure from pro-Tibetan groups, and handed this hotel back to the government, who presumably didn't spend a lot of time agonising over its new name. Standards have certainly slid since then and only tour groups and the relatively clueless stay here these days.

There is still a selection of restaurants, a clinic with both Western and Tibetan doctors, satellite TV and a dirty pool (summer only), but the putting-green carpets don't exactly scream cool and the staff are terminably glum. Still, it's a city landmark. Credit cards are accepted.